Charity Hall Dennis

One of my long research projects is completing profiles for my grandmothers. Having completed my 2nd great grandmothers, I have moved onto my 3rd great grandmothers. Unless you are "into" genealogy", you will likely not understand the passion behind the research. Today on my morning walk, I met a new neighbor and the subject of genealogy came up. He, too, is a researcher, and I was able to bounce off some research with him. Anytime I meet a researcher willing to collaborate on research methods, I get excited and take numerous notes. It is tedious and long process, genealogy.

Charity Hall (1808 - 1844) is one of my 4th great grandmothers. I am not sure why I became so intrigued by this woman recently, but as I was researching her daughter Elizabeth, I truly could hear Charity speaking to me. Sometimes research happens that way.... one person becomes intriguing and shadows the others.

When I do a profile, I want a complete picture. I try to find every census record and the burial info. This is basic research because really good genealogists gather even more documentation. If I ever need to legally document a person in my line, I would have additional work to do; but for now, filling in numerous gaps created by others consumes me. To fill in the gaps, often you need to research siblings / children to get an idea about the person you are working on. This is especially try with females who may remarry and change names. As an example, a widowed mother may move in with a child not in your own direct line. Having a full picture of an ancestor's whole family helps locate documents.

In Charity Hall Dennis' lifetime, she bore 12 children in 30 years. Born in Barren County, Kentucky, she migrated within her lifetime to Bell County, Texas, a no easy feat. At close to 1000 miles, most of the journey would be through rough terrain. When I found Charity's Find a Grave page, I was saddened that she is connected with only two of her children. This sadness created a frenzied weekend of research to locate and connect her with her other children. Luckily, I found 4 additional children, but this still leaves 6 of her children unaccounted for.

Child Burial

Elizabeth Oplin, Texas
John Jefferson unknown, possibly buried in Falls County, Texas
Joseph unknown
Audley Harrison unknown, last records put him in Tulare, California
*George W Luling, Texas
*Mariah Rogers, Texas
*Mary C Rogers, Texas
Amanda Temple, Texas
*Mildred Coleman, Texas
Sophronia unknown, death before 1880 possibly in Bell or McLennan Counties
Neal unknown, last records 1870 in Bell County, Texas
Neimiah unknown, only 1 census record, possibly died in childhood

Her oldest child Elizabeth is my ancestor. Most of the lineage from me to Elizabeth is along female lines, so I've included the lineage to show the difficulty in female research.

Stacci Dian Slayton Hamilton
---GW Slayton
-----Gladys Keeney Slayton
------ William Mike Keeney
----------Charity Elizabeth Hock Keeney
--------------Elizabeth Dennis Hock
-------------------Charity Hall Dennis

Eggnog French Toast

~Eggnog French Toast Casserole~ Update: this has been a very busy post, viewed almost daily and consistently since it's original publication. I would love to hear about anyone's attempts at making this Eggnog French Toast. copied from Women of Faith daily newsletter This recipe sounds so amazing. I wondered if this was the casserole that Jessica and Rachel ended up rolling around in on the floor in The Family Stone . A little digging revealed that instead, it is actually Breakfast Strata which sounds equally appealling. I did not like the movie, The Family Stone. Maybe it was too realistic. Maybe I was hoping for something more whimsical and hopeful. I have tried a couple times since my initial viewing to watch it, but I cannot bring myself to sit through it. Eggnog French Toast Casserole A make-ahead breakfast perfect for Christmas morning! 1 loaf French Bread 8 oz. Cream Cheese 10 Eggs 2 cups Eggnog ¼ teaspoon Nutmeg 1 Tablespoon Cinnamon Slice a

Mitchells in the Revolutionary War

The next line I tackled was the Mitchell family. My great grandmother was Artha B Mitchell (1883 - 1977). I can barely remember her. I was ten years old when she died. She was the daughter of Francis Marion Mitchell (1855 - 1904). It is Francis's grandfather, Andrew Mitchell, Jr. (1760 - 1824) who served in the Revolutionary War. It is truly a story worthy of legend. Andrew was one of 3 sons born to Irish immigrants Andrew and Mary (McGowan) Mitchell. The young family came to the colonies in 1752. They began their journey in a Scottish - Irish community in Eastern Pennsylvania before migrating to Orange County, North Carolina. Besides the boys, Andrew and Mary had 2 daughters, Margaret and Nancy. At the time of the Revolution, my 5th great grandfather, Andrew, Jr was just starting his family. He had married Mary Tate in 1781. He was in service but took furlough to be with his ill wife. This information is documented in a a hand written SAR application by Andrew's

Revolutionary War beginnigns

With the 4th of July only a couple days away, I thought I'd spend some time visiting with the family and share some of our family heritage. As the United States turns 236 years old this week, thinking about those unique ancestors who risked so much to bring about the American independence takes me back to Virginia, North / South Carolina and Maryland and the original 13 colonies. We all get so wrapped up in our lives that we forget to honor the past; or, as is often the case, families are unaware of the past. Technology opens the coffins of complacency and sweeps away the dust of indifference. I love learning about my ancestors. They are some unique individuals who lived life in another time and place but who are still present in our genetics. Think about it...........the same DNA that existed in a person 236 years ago is chronicled in my own DNA. It is almost like a message left in a bottle...........all I have to do is open the bottle. Our collective written history is no

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